MED | BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL

Biopsychosocial Model

A model that incorporates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding health and illness.

Rudolf Virchow

The father of modern pathophysiology who proposed that all pathologies arise from damaged cells.

Biomedical Model

A model that explains illness solely through physical malfunctions at a lower level of organization.

Reductionist Perspective

A viewpoint that reduces complex human phenomena to simple checklists or lower-level explanations.

Infection

The invasion of parasites that can lead to illness.

Metabolic Disorder

A condition often caused by gene mutations affecting bodily functions.

Psychiatric Disorder

An illness characterized by an imbalance in neurotransmitters.

Health

Defined as merely the absence of physical signs of disease in the biomedical model.

Criticism of Biomedical Model

The model objectifies patients and fails to account for those without physical signs of dysfunction.

Burnout

A condition recognized as a diagnosis by the WHO in 2019, illustrating limitations of the biomedical model.

George Engel

A critic of the biomedical model who proposed the biopsychosocial model.

Downward Causality

A concept introduced in the biopsychosocial model that emphasizes the influence of higher-level factors on lower-level processes.

Biological Factors

Aspects such as genetic makeup, physical health, and organ function that contribute to health.

Psychological Factors

Elements including thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and coping skills that affect mental health.

Social Factors

Influences from culture, religion, environment, and stigma that impact health.

Sign

An objective measure of a patient's health condition.

Symptom

A patient's subjective perception of their well-being.

Assessment

The process of gathering objective findings (signs and symptoms) to evaluate a patient's condition.

Diagnosis

The identification of an illness or problem through examination of symptoms.

Planning

Determining the desired status and knowledge a patient should have about their disease.

Intervention

Steps taken to address signs and symptoms and prevent further injury.

Evaluation

The process of assessing whether the goals set during planning were achieved and if the patient understands their condition.